Aurora Woman Recovering After Being Shot by Possible Stray Bullet While in Bed
An Aurora woman is recovering after being shot by what police believe may have been a stray bullet that pierced her home while she was lying in bed. Danielle Smith, 37, was on the second floor of her East 13th Place home just after midnight Thursday when she heard several popping sounds while watching TV with her dog. Moments later, she felt what she described as an explosion in her shoulder and realized she had been hit.
“My whole arm was just on fire,” Smith said. The bullet struck her in the back and exited through her arm—missing major arteries and landing just inches from her heart. She was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Smith’s children were not home at the time, and no one else was injured. Aurora police say Smith was likely not the intended target and that the shot may have been fired from outside the home, as no shell casings were found. Smith, who says gun violence is all too common in her neighborhood near Hoffman Heights, is now desperate to move. “Even the police can’t help this neighborhood anymore,” she said.
So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tips can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
